The house among the trees, which was built in Izabelin near Warsaw, was designed by architects Marcin Grzyb and Natalia Hila-Wyrobek of the MAG Architekci studio. The modern residence catches the eye with its grandeur and large glazings.
In the heart of the forest, where nature sets the rhythm of the day, a modern residence has been created that harmoniously combines contemporary architecture with the surrounding landscape. The house is not only an oasis of tranquillity, but also an example of innovative, ecological building solutions that fit in with the idea of sustainability.
The architectural design is based on simple, geometric forms and strongly accentuated horizontal steel roofs, which give the volume horizontal proportions. Rather than dominating the landscape, the house subtly blends into the forested space through the use of natural materials – mainly ash wood and stone. The large glazings not only provide stunning views of the forest, but also maximise the use of natural light to reduce energy consumption. It is also a compromise of the investors’ aesthetics combining the features of a modern house with elegance and classicism.
The two-storey volume of the living room opens up with a six-metre-high facade to the forest. The dining room, designed as a single-storey glass pavilion with sliding windows, connects to the covered terrace and overlooks the garden. Moving around the house, we have visual contact with nature most of the time. The building is designed in an L-shape with a private interior catching the southern and western sun sifted through the treetops.
A key element of the project is the use of advanced green technologies that make this residence energy self-sufficient. Photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roof of the building to cover the electricity needs, powering not only the lighting but also the daily appliances. In addition, the residence is equipped with a heat pump, which energy-efficiently heats the interiors in winter and cools them in summer using renewable energy from the environment. The house’s ventilation with recuperation reduces energy losses and the triple-glazed windows and high-end insulation of the house eliminate heat loss. It is also a smart home imbued with advanced systems that optimise the operation and functioning of the building.
This residence in the woods is not just a place to live – it is a manifesto of a modern approach to architecture that respects the environment, uses natural resources and aims to minimise its carbon footprint. The combination of traditional materials and modern technological solutions makes the house a model for forward-looking architectural concepts, where luxury and sustainability go hand in hand.
Design authorship: MAG architekci / www.magarchitekci.pl
Team: Marcin Grzyb and Natalia Hila-Wyrobek
Photographs: Oliver de Nissau MAG architekci
Location: Izabelin, Masovian Voivodship
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